Clasp for bracelets and like articles of jewelry



3311.17, 1928, 1,656,335 A. L NEWMAN I CLASP FOR BRACELETS AND LIKE ARTICLES OF JEWELRY Filed May 2, I925 Patented Jan. 17,1928.

UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

ALMYR L. NEWMAN, OF WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO A. L. NEWMAN COM-- PANY, OF CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

CLASP FOR BRACELETS AND LIKE ARTICLES 0F JEWELRY.

Application filed May 2, 1925. Serial No. 27,477.

This invention relates to clasps for watchbracelets or other articles of jewelry and consists of improvements in the construction of the same. a

One object of the invention is to provide an "article of the type'specified for clasping the braceletto the watch, and for other like purposes, which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and efiicient in use for the purpose described. 7

Other objects of the invention are to provide a clasp which may be easily attached to the loop of the watch or other article and which will besecurely held from accidental unfastening, while being durable in use and proof against derangement or getting out of order. E

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment ofthe invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the improved clasp as applied to theends' ofa bracelet or strap to fasten the same to a wrist watch;

a Fig. 2is an enlarged side elevation of the clasp; a

Fig. 3 is an enlarged bottom plan view ofthe same, showing the latch or keeper of the clasp in both closed and open position;

Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of the-main hook-portion of the clasp; I a Fig. -5 is a perspective view of the latchholding part of the clasp; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the latch orkeeper.

Referring to the drawings, my improved clasp is preferably constructed from sheetmetal unched or stamped out in suitable dies. s shown in Fig. 4, the main portion 2 of the clasp comprises a substantially rectangular strip of sheet-metal having slde wings or cars 3 bent downwardly at rightanglesto adapt them to enclose the edges of the strap, band, or bracelet 4: which has its end attached to the clasp in any suitable manner. The flat length of the strip is extended in a widened portion 5 which is bent around to form a hooked beak 6 adapted to engage the-loop 7 on the side of the'watch 8, asshown in Fig. 1.

To the box-like portion 9 of the main" member 2 of the clasp is attached a latchcarrying member 10 which extends across structure asillustrated in Fig. 5.

the bentdown wings or side-ears 3 to close the box 1n the form of a tube. The member 10 is constructed from a rectangular blank of sheet-metal which is folded alon a medial line to provide an envelope-shape Bent upwardly at an angle to the folded strip 10 is a tab 11 adapted to bridge the space between the ends of the bent-over ears 3 on the main member 2, and to be soldered or otherwise secured thereto to close the forward side of the horror tube, while providing a beveled or inclined face opposed to the opening in the hook 6. The main portion of the envelope-piece 10 seats against the bottom edges of the wings or side-ears 3 and is soldered or otherwise secured thereto, as

shown in Fig; 2. a j

The latch or keeper for closing the open mouth of the hook 6 consists in a substantia llyflatL-shaped lever 12, shown in detail in Fig. 6, held between the folded sides of the enclosing-member 10 and pivoted thereto by a pin or rivet 13 extending throughahole T4 in the lever and holes 15 inthe piece 10. The lever orlatch 12 is provided with an extension 16 which projects beyond the side of the envelope-piece 10 and is bent tolie adjacent the side 3 of the clasp with a small ear 17 curled around toprovide a finger-grip for rocking or turningI the latch or lever 12 on its pivot-pin 13. Wen the lever 12 is turned into the posi-v tion illustrated by full lines in Fig. 3 one of its legs 18 willproject across the gap between the end of the beak 6 and the envelope-piece 10 to close the hook whereby to prevent the release of the clasp from the loop 7 on the watch or other part with which it is engaged;

Preferably, the latch or lever 12 is punched or indentedto forma detent protuberance or teat 20 adapted to engage the edge of the envelope-strip 10 tohold the latch in closed position, as illustrated by full lines in Fig. 3. To open the clasp the latch or lever 12 is swung around into the position illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 3 by pressing the fin ger-grip 17. When the latch is swung into open position the detent protuberance 20 will slide in under the folded-over portion of the latch-holding envelope 10, the sides of thismember s ring apart slightly for this will then hold the latch in open position and when it is swung forward to close the beak of the hook 6 the detent 20 rides over the edge of the strip and snaps into place to hold it closed,

My improved clasp may be attached to the end of any usual type of watch-bracelet, such as a leather strap, a band of fabricated wire, or a link bracelet. in which latter case the main element 2 of the clasp may have its boxlike portion 9 shaped to conform to the links of the bracelet and adapted in some instances to enclose an inner sliding link. When fastened to the end of the strap, band or bracelet the clasp is readily attached to the loop 7 on the watch 8 by hooking its beak 6 thereover, the latch or lever 12 being moved into open position for this purpose, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. After the hook 6 has been engaged with the loop 7 on the watch 8 the latch or lever 12 is swung back to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5 to pro- ]ect its leg 18 forwardly across the gap between the edge of the hook and the main box-portion of the clasp. In this position the detent protuberance 20 snaps over the edge of the member 10 to secure the latch against accidental movement,

It will be observed that my invention provides a clasp of particularly neat and simple construction which may be manufactured from sheet-metal struckup in suitable dies; The present improved clasp does not require the use of a spring for closing its latch or keeper and the arrangement of the latch is such as to provide against its derangement or getting out of order. The latch or kee er for the hook of the clasp being enclosed etween the sides of the folded strip or envelope 10 is held firmly thereby and pre vented from lateral play or lost motion on its pivot. Moreover, this construction braces the latch throughout its main portion and the leg which projects forwardly and in under the edge of the book 6 is braced at this point so as to prevent any chance of the latch or keeper becoming bent or getting out of place. This construction, therefore, makes for greater strength and durability of the whole clasp and renders the device particularly staunch and well adapted for mens watch-bracelets or for other purposes where it is subjected to hard wear. By mounting and enclosing the latch or keeper of the clasp in the manner described lateral strain on its pivot is eliminated and loosening of the joint of the latch avoided.

WVhile I have herein described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts of the device which would fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

end across the opening of the hook.

2 In an article of thetype specified, the combination of a member having a hooked beak and lateral wings extending downwardly from its sides in spaced relation to the edge of the beak, a folded strip secured to the edges of said wings with its open side in opposed relation to the edge of the hook, and a latch slidable between the sides of the folded strip to project it across the opening of the hook. j

3. In an article of the type specified, the combination of a member formed with a hook at its end, a folded strip held on said member with its open side in parallel relation with the edge of the hook, a latch-leverheld between the folded sides ofthe strip and pivoted thereto to adapt it tobe projected across the opening of the hook, and a detent protuberance on said lever adapted to engage the edge of the folded strip to retain the latch in closed relation with respect to j the hook. h

4. In an article of the type specified, the combination of a member provided with a hooked beak and having aparallel-sided portion formed with an open slot extending in opposite relation to the edge of the beak, and a keeper pivoted between the opposite walls of said parallel-sided portion to adapt it to be rocked on its pivot and projected through the slot across the opening of the beak.

5, In a clasp for watch bracelets or similar articles, the combination of a sheet-metal member bent around at its end to form a hook with its free edge extending parallel to the plane of the main portion of said member, and provided with a flat portion having parallel sides with a restricted openin therebetween extending in opposite paral el relation with the edge of the hook, and a latch pivoted between the sides of the flat portion to adapt it to slide laterally across the edge of the hook to close the latter. 7 V

6. In an article of the type specified, the combination of a sheet-metal member having a hook at its end bent around to bring its free edge parallel to the plane of the flat portion of said member, and provided with a folded portion having parallel sides spaced at a slight distance apart with their edges extending in parallel spaced relation with respect to the edge of the hook, and a latch pivoted to slide between the parallel sides of said folded portion to adapt it to swing laterally across the edge of the hook.

7. In an article of the type specified, the posed parallel with the edge of the hook, and combination of a sheet-metal member hava latch held between the sides of the folded ing lateral wings bent, down from its sides portion to adapt it to slide laterally across 1 and a hook curled around from its end, said the edge of the hook to close the latter.

. 5 member provided with a folded ortion hav- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ing opposite parallel sides exten 'ngbetw'een the wings on the member with its edges dis- ALMYR L. 

